De-escalation of dual antiplatelet therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) de-escalation with five alternative DAPT strategies in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DESIGN

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). Parallel-arm randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DAPT strategies were included and arms of interest were compared via NMA. Partial ranking of each identified arm and for each investigated endpoint was also performed.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients with ACS (≥18 years) undergoing PCI with indications for DAPT.

SEARCH METHODS

A comprehensive search covered several databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, MEDLINE, Conference Proceeding Citation Index-Science) from inception to 15 October 2023. Medical subject headings and keywords related to ACS, PCI and DAPT interventions were used. Reference lists of included studies were screened. Clinical trials registers were searched for ongoing or unpublished trials.

INTERVENTIONS

Six strategies were assessed: T1 arm: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and prasugrel for 12 months; T2 arm: ASA and low-dose prasugrel for 12 months; T3 arm: ASA and ticagrelor for 12 months; T4 arm: DAPT de-escalation (ASA+P2Y12 inhibitor for 1-3 months, then single antiplatelet therapy with potent P2Y12 inhibitor or DAPT with clopidogrel); T5 arm: ASA and clopidogrel for 12 months; T6 arm: ASA and clopidogrel for 3-6 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome: Cardiovascular mortality.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

bleeding events (all, major, minor), stent thrombosis (ST), stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

RESULTS

23 RCTs (75 064 patients with ACS) were included. No differences in cardiovascular mortality, all-cause death, recurrent MI or MACE were found when the six strategies were compared, although with different levels of certainty of evidence. ASA and clopidogrel for 12 or 3-6 months may result in a large increase of ST risk versus ASA plus full-dose prasugrel (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.12, and OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.33 to 7.26, respectively; low certainty evidence for both comparisons). DAPT de-escalation probably results in a reduced risk of all bleedings compared with ASA plus full-dose 12-month prasugrel (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.81, moderate-certainty evidence) and ASA plus 12-month ticagrelor (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.75), while it may not increase the risk of ST. ASA plus 12-month clopidogrel may reduce all bleedings versus ASA plus full-dose 12-month prasugrel (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.94, low certainty) and ASA plus 12-month ticagrelor (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

DAPT de-escalation and ASA-clopidogrel regimens may reduce bleeding events compared with 12 months ASA and potent P2Y12 inhibitors. 3-6 months or 12-month aspirin-clopidogrel may increase ST risk compared with 12-month aspirin plus potent P2Y12 inhibitors, while DAPT de-escalation probably does not.

Single versus dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous left atrial appendage closure-A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In the last few years, percutaneous LAA occlusion (LAAO) has become a plausible alternative in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with contraindications to anticoagulation therapy. Nevertheless, the optimal antiplatelet strategy following percutaneous LAAO remains to be defined.

METHODS

Studies comparing single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following LAAO were systematically searched and screened. The outcomes of interest were ischemic stroke, device-related thrombus (DRT) and major bleeding. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed comparing outcomes in both groups. The moderator effect of baseline characteristics on outcomes was evaluated by univariate meta-regression analyses.

RESULTS

Sixteen observational studies with 3255 patients treated with antiplatelet therapy (SAPT, n = 1033; DAPT, n = 2222) after LAAO were included. Mean age was 74.5 ± 8.3 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 4.3 ± 1.5 and 3.2 ± 1.0, respectively. At a weighted mean follow-up of 12.7 months, the occurrence of stroke (RR 1.33; 95% CI 0.64-2.77; p =.44), DRT (RR 1.52; 95% CI 0.90-2.58; p =.12), and the composite of stroke and DRT (RR 1.26; 95% CI 0.67-2.37; p =.47) did not differ significantly between SAPT and DAPT groups. The rate of major bleedings was also not different between groups (RR 1.41; 95% CI 0.64-3.12; p =.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Among AF patients at high bleeding risk undergoing percutaneous LAAO, a post-procedural minimalistic antiplatelet strategy with SAPT did not significantly differ from DAPT regimens regarding the rate of stroke, DRT and major bleeding.

Organ perfusion pressure at admission and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure

AIMS

Hypoperfusion portends adverse outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF). The gradient between end-organ inflow and outflow pressures may more closely reflect hypoperfusion than mean arterial pressure (MAP) alone. The aim of this study was to investigate organ perfusion pressure (OPP), calculated as MAP minus central venous pressure (CVP), as a prognostic marker in AHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Sodium NItroPrusside Treatment in Acute Heart Failure (SNIP)-AHF study was a multicentre retrospective cohort study of 200 consecutive patients hospitalized for AHF treated with sodium nitroprusside. Only patients with both MAP and invasive CVP data available from the SNIP-AHF cohort were included in this analysis. The primary endpoint was to assess OPP as a predictor of worsening heart failure (WHF), defined as the worsening of signs and symptoms of heart failure leading to intensification of therapy at 48 h. One hundred and forty-six patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included [mean age: 61.1 ± 13.5 years, 32 (21.9%) females; mean body mass index: 26.2 ± 11.7 kg/m2; mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 23.8%±11.4%, mean MAP: 80.2 ± 13.2 mmHg, and mean CVP: 14.0 ± 6.1 mmHg]. WHF occurred in 14 (9.6%) patients. At multivariable models including hemodynamic variables (OPP, shock index, and CVP), OPP at admission was the best predictor of WHF at 48 h [OR 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.86-0.96), P-value = 0.001] with an optimal cut-off value of 67.5 mmHg (specificity 47.3%, sensitivity 100%, and AUC 0.784 ± 0.054). In multivariable models, including univariable significant parameters available at first bedside assessment, namely New York Heart Association functional class, OPP, shock index, CVP, and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, OPP consistently and significantly predicted WHF at 48 h.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective analysis on patients hospitalized for AHF treated with sodium nitroprusside, on-admission OPP significantly predicted WHF at 48 h with high sensitivity.

Pickering syndrome in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic granulomatous large vessel arteritis. The renal arteries are affected in up to 60% of patients with TA, with renal artery stenosis (RAS) potentially leading to ischemic nephropathy, severe arterial hypertension, and heart failure. Bilateral RAS may rarely present with recurrent flash pulmonary edema, a life-threatening association which has been termed Pickering syndrome. In this report, we describe a 55-year-old woman with severe refractory arterial hypertension admitted for acute pulmonary edema, initially treated unsuccessfully with medical therapy with vasodilators and diuretics. Given the instrumental findings of bilateral RAS and suggestive signs and symptoms, the diagnosis of TA was made, resulting as the first described case of Pickering syndrome being the clinical presentation of TA. Interventional therapy with renal artery angioplasty procedure was performed with stenting of both right and left renal arteries, leading to the resolution of the clinical scenario and the successful discharge of the patient. At the 1 year follow-up visit the patient was asymptomatic and in good clinical conditions; a significant reduction in antihypertensive therapy was achieved while immunosuppressive therapy was continued. This case highlights that secondary causes of TA should always be sought in patients with refractory hypertension who do not respond to standard treatment; also, TA should be suspected in young patients with bilateral RAS, especially when other typical signs of TA are present; lastly, a thorough investigation is essential in complicated cases, as rare diseases like TA may manifest in unusual ways.

Risk of cardioembolic ischemic events and relation to atrial fibrillation/flutter in patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy during a long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart disease characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of myocardium. Limited data is available concerning cardioembolic stroke. This study sought to determine the occurrence of cardioembolic ischemic events (CIEs) in ACM patients and to identify clinical and imaging predictors of CIEs.

METHODS

Every consecutive ACM patient was enrolled. ECG, Holter monitoring or implantable cardiac devices were used to detect atrial arrhythmias (AAs). CIEs were defined according to TOAST classification.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 111 patients, CIEs were observed in eleven (10%) over a 12.9-year median follow-up, with an incidence of 7.9 event/1000 patient-year (HR 4.12 compared to general population). Mean age at the event was 42 ± 9 years. Female sex (p = 0.03), T-wave inversion (p = 0.03), RVOT dilatation (p = 0.006) and lower LVEF (p = 0.006) were associated with CIEs. Among patients with AAs (23/111, 20.7%), 5 (21.7%) experienced CIEs. CHA2DS2-VASc did not prove useful to define patients at higher risk of CIEs (p = 0.098). 60% of stroke suffering patients had a pre-event score between 0 and 1 (if female).

CONCLUSIONS

In ACM patients, CIEs are much more common than in general population and present a high burden at younger age. AAs relate to less than half of these events. In AAs patients, CHA2DS2-VASc is not useful to stratify those requiring oral anticoagulation. As a hypothesis-generating study, our research proposes the role of atrial myopathy, irrespective of AAs, as a pivotal factor in thrombogenesis risk, pointing out a definite unmet need in ACM therapeutic algorithm.

Two-Year clinical outcomes after coronary bifurcation stenting in older patients from Korea and Italy

Background

Older patients who treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at a higher risk of adverse cardiac outcomes. We sought to investigate the clinical impact of bifurcation PCI in older patients from Korea and Italy.

Methods

We selected 5,537 patients who underwent bifurcation PCI from the BIFURCAT (comBined Insights from the Unified RAIN and COBIS bifurcAtion regisTries) database. The primary outcome was a composite of target vessel myocardial infarction, clinically driven target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis at two years.

Results

In patients aged ≥75 years, the mean age was 80.1 ± 4.0 years, 65.2% were men, and 33.7% had diabetes. Older patients more frequently presented with chronic kidney disease (CKD), severe coronary calcification, and left main coronary artery disease (LMCA). During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, older patients showed similar adverse clinical outcomes compared to younger patients (the primary outcome, 5.7% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.21). Advanced age was not an independent predictor of the primary outcome (p = 0.93) in overall patients. Both CKD and LMCA were independent predictors regardless of age group.

Conclusions

Older patients (≥75 years) showed similar clinical outcomes to those of younger patients after bifurcation PCI. Advanced age alone should not deter physicians from performing complex PCIs for bifurcation disease.

362 COMPLETE HEART BLOCK AS A RARE MANIFESTATION OF GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS: A CASE REPORT

A 42-year-old male with prior smoking habit presented at our emergency department after atraumatic syncope preceded by severe pain in the left lower limb. He had no past relevant medical history until one month prior to presentation, when the onset and persistence of nonproductive cough deemed the performance of a chest computed tomography (CT), which showed a 28 mm pulmonary nodule. A positron emission tomography-CT scan performed thereafter showed hypercaptation of the apical pulmonary nodule (SUV 6.87), and hypercaptation of the left nasal cavities. He was not on daily medications. On presentation the patient complained of dyspnoea at rest with no chest pain. On physical examination the left foot was cold and numb with no pedidial pulses. Laboratory assessment showed leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, anemia and elevated C-reactive protein, troponin I, NTproBNP and creatinine levels. The 12-lead electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with complete atrioventricular block and ventricular escape rhythm at 40 bpm; the transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mildly impaired left ventricular systolic function with basal septal hypokinesis; a chest-CT scan confirmed the stability of the aforementioned pulmonary lesions. The patient was transported to the catheterization laboratory for temporary pacemaker insertion and coronary angiography, which depicted distal occlusion of the first septal branch, the first diagonal branch and the obtuse marginal branch; no percutaneous coronary intervention was performed. The patient was then transferred to our Coronary Intensive Care Unit: due to persistent ischemia of the left lower limb, and several unsuccessful procedures to restore limb vascularization, a leg amputation above the knee was performed on day 2 of hospitalization. Meanwhile, the patient also developed fever, epididymitis, digital infarcts with bilateral hand purpura, upper and lower extremities paresthesia, worsening renal failure, persistent anemia and leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Neoplastic markers, blood cultures and urine cultures resulted negative; urine sediment examination showed cylinders, leucocytes and severe dysmorphic microhematuria suggestive of glomerulonephritis; bronchoalveolar lavage showed inflammatory cells. A rheumatologic screening was also performed, showing high titer of cANCA (125 UI/ml) hinting at a systemic vasculitis. The histopathological results of the amputated limb depicting marked necrotizing vasculitis with extensive involvement of small-medium caliber and larger caliber arterial vessels. Based on these clinical and laboratory findings, a diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) with myocardial infarction due to coronary involvement and subsequent atrioventricular block was made on day 4 of hospitalization. Daily 500 mg boluses of intravenous methylprednisolone were administered for three days since day 4 of hospitalization, followed by high dose oral glucocorticoids (prednisone 1 mg/kg/day) and subsequent remission induction therapy with rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly. Renal function progressively improved; heart conduction abnormalities gradually recovered and there was a marked reduction of the size of the pulmonary nodule. GPA presents remains one of the most challenging diagnostic dilemmas in clinical medicine. Despite we performed a prompt diagnosis, a leg amputation had to be done due to the common rapid progression of the disease. Clinicians should be aware of the various manifestations of GPA and bear in mind the possibility of coronary vasculitis.

Prognostic Impact of Nutritional Status After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair: The MIVNUT Registry

Background Malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in several cardiovascular diseases. However, its prognostic impact in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is not well known. This study sought to assess the prevalence, clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of malnutrition in patients undergoing TEER. Methods and Results A total of 892 patients undergoing TEER from the international MIVNUT (Mitral Valve Repair and Nutritional Status) registry were studied. Malnutrition status was assessed with the Controlling Nutritional Status score. The association of nutritional status with mortality was analyzed with multivariable Cox regression models, whereas the association with heart failure admission was assessed by Fine-Gray models, with death as a competing risk. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 74.4% of patients with TEER had any degree of malnutrition at the time of TEER (75.1% in patients with body mass index <25 kg/m², 72.1% in those with body mass index ≥25 kg/m²). However, only 20% had moderate-severe malnutrition. TEER was successful in most of patients (94.2%). During a median follow-up of 1.6 years (interquartile range, 0.6-3.0), 267 (29.9%) patients died and 256 patients (28.7%) were admitted for heart failure after TEER. Compared with normal nutritional status moderate-severe malnutrition resulted a strong predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; P<0.001) and heart failure admission (adjusted subdistribution HR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; P=0.015). Conclusions Malnutrition is common among patients submitted to TEER, and moderate-severe malnutrition is strongly associated with increased mortality and heart failure readmission. Assessment of nutritional status in these patients may help to improve risk stratification.

Right ventricular longitudinal contractility mismatch: a novel diagnostic marker of right ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Background

The structural alterations of arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy (ARVC) mainly involve the RV outflow tract (RVOT), but RVOT systolic function has been poorly investigated.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the Doppler Velocity Ratio (DVR) as a novel echocardiographic parameter for ARVC diagnosis.

Methods

30 consecutive ARVC adult patients, 45 asymptomatic healthy volunteers and 45 consecutive patients with RV dysfunction due to ARVC mimics were prospectively enrolled between May 2019 and December 2021 and received complete transthoracic echocardiography examinations. The DVR was calculated as the ratio of RV free wall systolic velocity to RVOT systolic velocity at Doppler tissue imaging. The main study outcomes were to compare the DVR among ARVC patients, healthy controls, and mimics and to assess its diagnostic value in ARVC.

Results

120 patients were included. Mean age was 55±17 years; 46 (38.3%) patients were female. The DVR was significantly higher in ARVC subjects (1.59±0.41) compared to both healthy controls (1.16±0.14, P&lt;0.001) and mimics (1.17±0.23, P&lt;0.001), but similar between healthy controls and mimics (P=1.000). The DVR cut-off value with the highest accuracy for ARVC diagnosis was 1.33 (sensitivity=80.0%, specificity=86.7%). The area under the curve of DVR alone was significantly superior to that of the major echocardiographic 2010 Task Force Criteria (0.833 vs 0.672 respectively, P=0.034). The net reclassification improvement for DVR alone against the major echocardiographic 2010 Task Force Criteria was 32.2% (P=0.023).

Conclusions

The DVR is a simple novel echocardiographic parameter with high accuracy for ARVC diagnosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of lipid-lowering therapies on cardiovascular outcomes according to coronary artery calcium score. A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score improves the accuracy of risk stratification for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events compared with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We evaluated the interaction of coronary atherosclerotic burden as determined by the CAC score with the prognostic benefit of lipid-lowering therapies in the primary prevention setting.

METHODS

We reviewed the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for studies including individuals without a previous ASCVD event who underwent CAC score assessment and for whom lipid-lowering therapy status stratified by CAC values was available. The primary outcome was ASCVD. The pooled effect of lipid-lowering therapy on outcomes stratified by CAC groups (0, 1-100,> 100) was evaluated using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Five studies (1 randomized, 2 prospective cohort, 2 retrospective) were included encompassing 35 640 individuals (female 38.1%) with a median age of 62.2 [range, 49.6-68.9] years, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 128 (114-146) mg/dL, and follow-up of 4.3 (2.3-11.1) years. ASCVD occurrence increased steadily across growing CAC strata, both in patients with and without lipid-lowering therapy. Comparing patients with (34.9%) and without (65.1%) treatment exposure, lipid-lowering therapy was associated with reduced occurrence of ASCVD in patients with CAC> 100 (OR, 0.70; 95%CI, 0.53-0.92), but not in patients with CAC 1-100 or CAC 0. Results were consistent when only adjusted data were pooled.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals without a previous ASCVD, a CAC score> 100 identifies individuals most likely to benefit from lipid-lowering therapy, while undetectable CAC suggests no treatment benefit.

Comparing benefits from sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in randomized clinical trials: a network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were individually proven to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, but the relative magnitude of benefits from these two drug classes is debated. We aimed to review current available data on GLP1-RA and SGLT2i in T2DM patients and compare their efficacy and safety in this population.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We systematically searched MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, www.tctmd.com, www.clinicaltrials.gov, www.clinicaltrialresults.org, from inception to September 17, 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of GLP1-RA vs SGLT2i vs optimal medical therapy (OMT) in adult T2DM patients. Three authors independently screened references and extracted data using a predefined data collection form. Outcomes were analyzed using an indirect comparison meta-analysis of aggregate study-level data. The primary combined efficacy outcome comprised cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), or nonfatal stroke. Secondary efficacy outcomes included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, heart failure hospitalizations (HFH), and worsening renal function (WRF).

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

11 RCTs enrolling a total of 98572 patients were included; 56004 (57%) patients were derived from GLP1-RA RCTs and 42568 (43%) from SGLT2i RCTs. At a median follow-up of 3.0±1.3 years, compared with OMT, both GLP1-RA and SGLT2i similarly reduced the rate of the composite primary outcome (risk ratio [RR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.83-0.93 and RR 0.88, 95%CI 0.82-0.95, respectively) with no difference between the drug classes (RR 1.00, 95%CI 0.92-1.10). Both classes similarly reduced MI rate, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality compared with OMT; stroke reduction was only observed with GLP1-RA with no difference in the indirect comparison with SGLT2i; conversely, only SGLT2i were effective in preventing HFH. Both GLP1-RA and SGLT2i were protective against WRF, with a major efficacy of SGLT2i in the indirect comparison.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis report that GLP1-RA and SGLT2i reduced with a similar efficacy not only MACE as MI, but also cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality at a median 3 years follow-up. SGLT2i were more protective in HFH and WRF than GLP1RA. These new data highlight the efficacy of SGLT2i not only in HF and chronic kidney disease (CKD) but also in ischemic heart diseases (IHD), with a homogeneity among the class, whereas the results observed with GLP1-RA are heterogenous. These findings will help clinical's decisions to optimize therapeutic strategies for diabetic patients.

A Score to Assess Mortality After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification for transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is paramount in the decision-making process for treating severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to create and validate a user-friendly score (MitraScore) to predict the risk of mortality in patients undergoing TEER.

METHODS

The derivation cohort was based on a multicentric international registry that included 1,119 patients referred for TEER between 2012 and 2020. Score discrimination was assessed using Harrell's c-statistic, and the calibration was evaluated with the Gronnesby and Borgan goodness-of-fit test. An external validation was carried out in 725 patients from the GIOTTO registry.

RESULTS

After multivariate analysis, we identified 8 independent predictors of mortality during the follow-up (2.1 ± 1.8 years): age ≥75 years, anemia, glomerular filtrate rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m², left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high diuretic dose, and no therapy with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The MitraScore was derived by assigning 1 point to each independent predictor. The c-statistic was 0.70. Per each point of the MitraScore, the relative risk of mortality increased by 55% (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.44-1.67; P < 0.001). The discrimination and calibration for mortality prediction was better than those of EuroSCORE II (c-statistic 0.61) or Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (c-statistic 0.57). The MitraScore maintained adequate performance in the validation cohort (c-statistic 0.66). The score was also predictive for heart failure rehospitalization and was correlated with the probability of clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The MitraScore is a simple prediction algorithm for the prediction of follow-up mortality in patients treated with TEER.

A Score to Assess Mortality After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification for transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is paramount in the decision-making process for treating severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to create and validate a user-friendly score (MitraScore) to predict the risk of mortality in patients undergoing TEER.

METHODS

The derivation cohort was based on a multicentric international registry that included 1,119 patients referred for TEER between 2012 and 2020. Score discrimination was assessed using Harrell's c-statistic, and the calibration was evaluated with the Gronnesby and Borgan goodness-of-fit test. An external validation was carried out in 725 patients from the GIOTTO registry.

RESULTS

After multivariate analysis, we identified 8 independent predictors of mortality during the follow-up (2.1 ± 1.8 years): age ≥75 years, anemia, glomerular filtrate rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m², left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high diuretic dose, and no therapy with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The MitraScore was derived by assigning 1 point to each independent predictor. The c-statistic was 0.70. Per each point of the MitraScore, the relative risk of mortality increased by 55% (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.44-1.67; P < 0.001). The discrimination and calibration for mortality prediction was better than those of EuroSCORE II (c-statistic 0.61) or Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (c-statistic 0.57). The MitraScore maintained adequate performance in the validation cohort (c-statistic 0.66). The score was also predictive for heart failure rehospitalization and was correlated with the probability of clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The MitraScore is a simple prediction algorithm for the prediction of follow-up mortality in patients treated with TEER.

Impact of computed-tomography defined sarcopenia on outcomes of older adults undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

The adoption of Computed tomography (CT)-defined sarcopenia to risk stratify transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) candidates remains limited by a lack of both standardized definition and evidence of independent value over currently adopted mortality prediction tools.

METHODS

391 consecutive TAVI patients with pre-procedural CT scan were included (81 ​± ​6 years, 57.5% male, STS-PROM score 4.4 ​± ​3.6%) and abdominal muscle retrospectively quantified. The two definitions of radiologic sarcopenia previously adopted in TAVI studies were compared (psoas muscle area [PMA] at the L4 vertebra level: "PMA-sarcopenia"; indexed skeletal muscle area at the L3 vertebra level: "SMI-sarcopenia"). The primary endpoint was longer available-term all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints were Valve Academic Research Consortium-2-defined in-hospital and 30-day outcomes.

RESULTS

SMI- and PMA-sarcopenia were present in 192 (49.1%) and 117 (29.9%) patients, respectively. After a median of 24 (12-30) months follow-up, 83 (21.2%) patients died. PMA-(adj-HR 1.81, 95%CI 1.12-2.93, p ​= ​0.015), but not SMI-sarcopenia (adj-HR 1.23, 95%CI 0.76-2.00, p ​= ​0.391), was associated with all-cause mortality independently of age, sex and in-study outcome predictors (atrial fibrillation, hemoglobin, history of peripheral artery disease, cancer and subcutaneous adipose tissue). PMA-defined sarcopenia provided additive prognostic value over current post-TAVI mortality risk estimators including STS-PROM (p ​= ​0.001), Euroscore II (p ​= ​0.025), Charlson index (p ​= ​0.025) and TAVI2-score (p ​= ​0.020). Device success, early safety, clinical efficacy and 30-day all-cause death were unaffected by sarcopenia status regardless of definition.

CONCLUSIONS

PMA-sarcopenia (but not SMI-sarcopenia) is predictive of 2 year mortality among TAVI patients. The prognostic information provided by PMA-sarcopenia is independent of the tools currently adopted to predict post-TAVI mortality in clinical practice.

Prevalence and predictors of left atrial thrombosis in atrial fibrillation patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

BACKGROUND

Few data are available regarding the prevalence of left atrium (LA) thrombi in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Methods: We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of LA/LA appendage (LAA) thrombi in non-valvular AF patients treated with NOACs referring to a single centre for a scheduled electrical cardioversion (ECV) or catheter ablation (CA). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed within 12 h prior to the index procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 352 consecutive patients with non-valvular AF treated with NOACs were included in this analysis (ECV group n = 176 and CA group n = 176) between 2013 and 2018. 85 patients (24.2%) were on dabigatran, 150 (42.7%) on rivaroxaban, 104 (29.6%) on apixaban and 13 (3.7%) on edoxaban. A LA/LAA thrombus was detected by TEE in 27 (7.7%) patients, 18 in the ECV group and nine in the ablation group; 18 (5.1%) patients presented dense LA/LAA spontaneous echo contrast (SEC). Predictors of LA/LAA thrombi were a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score > 3 (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.50 - 13.70, p value = .007) and obesity (OR 6.01, 95% CI 1.95 - 18.50, p value = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among real-world patients with non-valvular AF treated with NOACs, we found a high incidence of LA/LAA thrombi compared to previous reports. The main predictors of LA/LAA thrombosis were a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score > 3 and obesity.

Outcomes during the first year following spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A systematic timeframe pooled analysis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare the incidence and timing of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within the first year after spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) according to the management strategy: conservative versus invasive.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of SCAD remains controversial.

METHODS

A pooled analysis of studies providing separate individual clinical outcomes for conservative and invasive treatment strategies within 1 year after SCAD was performed. The primary outcome measure was MACE incidence within three predefined study periods after SCAD, namely "in-hospital", "discharge-to-6-months" and "6-to-12-months". MACE was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, heart failure and SCAD recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies (444 patients) were included; 277 (62%) patients were treated conservatively and 167 (38%) invasively. Within 1-year follow-up, 39 (67%) MACE occurred during the in-hospital period compared to 10 (17%) in the "discharge-to-6 months" period and 9 (16%) in the "6-to-12-months" period (p < 0.0001 for the overall comparison). MACE incidence was also significantly different between the three study periods in the conservatively-treated group (23 [78%] vs. 7 [23%] vs. 0 [0%], respectively; p < 0.0001) and the invasively-treated group (12 [66%] vs. 3 [17%] vs. 3 [17%], respectively; p < 0.0001), although no significant difference was found regarding MACE incidence in the intra-period comparisons between conservative and invasive treatment strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

This pooled analysis showed that most MACE following SCAD occurred during the in-hospital period compared to the following two semesters, regardless of the treatment strategy. No difference regarding MACE incidence was found between conservative and invasive strategies in each study period.

Clinical Outcomes Following Isolated Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the pooled clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of different isolated transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (ITTVR) strategies for significant (moderate or greater) tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

BACKGROUND

Significant TR is a common valvular heart disease worldwide.

METHODS

Published research was systematically searched for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of ITTVR for significant TR in adults. The primary outcomes were improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and 6-minute walking distance and the presence of severe or greater TR at the last available follow-up of each individual study. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed comparing outcomes before and after ITTVR.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with 771 patients were included. The mean age was 77 ± 8 years, and the mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 6.8% ± 5.4%. At a weighted mean follow-up of 212 days, 209 patients (35%) were in NYHA functional class III or IV compared with 586 patients (84%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.13-0.40; P < 0.001). Six-minute walking distance significantly improved from 237 ± 113 m to 294 ± 105 m (mean difference +50 m; 95% CI: +34 to +66 m; P < 0.001). One hundred forty-seven patients (24%) showed severe or greater TR after ITTVR compared with 616 (96%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.20-0.42; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing ITTVR for significant TR experienced significant improvements in NYHA functional status and 6-minute walking distance and a significant reduction in TR severity at mid-term follow-up.

In-hospital outcomes in nonagenarian patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective

The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the incidence and predictors of in-hospital adverse outcomes in nonagenarian patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

Consecutive nonagenarian patients undergoing pPCI for STEMI from 2009 to 2019 were retrospectively included in an international multicenter registry. In-hospital all-cause death was the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 308 patients were included (mean age 92.5±2.5 years, 65.6% female). Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at hospital admission was 130.7±33.5 mmHg, 46 (17%) patients presented with a Killip class III-IV, mean left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was 40.0±11.5% and 147 (58%) patients were independent in everyday activities. In-hospital death occurred in 99 patients (32%). [Figure 1] After multivariate adjustment, lower LVEF (OR per unit reduction 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.11, p-value &lt;0.001), lower SBP (OR 0.98 per mmHg reduction, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p-value 0.001) and being not independent at home (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.25–5.26, p-value 0.01) resulted independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. [Figure 2] A sensitivity analysis performed in final TIMI 3 flow population confirmed the prognostic role of LVEF and independency on in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Nonagenarian patients presenting with STEMI and undergoing pPCI have high in-hospital mortality. Independency in everyday life is a strong independent predictor of survival to hospital discharge.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

Clinical outcomes following isolated transcatheter tricuspid valve repair: a meta-analysis and meta-regression study

Background

Significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common valvular heart disease worldwide.

Purpose

We aimed to assess the pooled clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of different isolated transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (ITTVR) strategies for significant (≥ moderate) TR.

Methods

We systematically searched the literature for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of ITTVR for significant TR in adult. The primary outcomes were the improvement of New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and 6-minutes walking distance (6MWD) and the presence of severe or greater TR at the last available follow-up of each individual study. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed comparing outcomes before and after ITTVR.

Results

14 studies with 771 patients were included. Mean age was 77±8 years and mean EuroScore II was 6.8%±5.4%. At a weighted mean follow-up of 212 days, 209 (35%) patients had a NYHA III to IV functional class compared to 586 (84%) patients at baseline (risk ratio: 0.23, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.40, P-value&lt;0.001). 6MWD significantly improved from 237±113 meters to 294±105 meters (mean difference: +50 meters, 95% CI +34 to +66 meters, P-value&lt;0.001). 147 (24%) patients showed severe or greater TR after ITTVR compared to 616 (96%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.29, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.42, P-value&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing ITTVR for significant TR experienced a significant improvement in NYHA functional status and 6MWD and a significant reduction in TR severity at mid-term follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Incidence and Predictors of Stent Thrombosis in Patients Treated with Stents for Coronary Bifurcation Narrowing (From the BIFURCAT Registry)

Percutaneous coronary interventions performed at coronary bifurcations yield high rates of stent thrombosis (ST). The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictors of ST in contemporary coronary bifurcation percutaneous coronary interventions. We retrospectively investigated the BIFURCAT (comBined Insights From the Unified RAIN and COBIS bifurcAtion regisTries) registry on coronary bifurcations to assess the incidence and predictors of definite ST, which were the study primary endpoints. Predictors of ST among patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were also examined. A total of 5330 patients were included. After a mean 2-years follow-up, 64 (1.2%) patients experienced ST. 42 (65.6%) ST patients were on DAPT. At multivariable analysis, age (HR 1.02, CI 1.01 to 1.05, p = 0,027), smoking status (HR 2.57, CI 1.49 to 4.44, p = 0.001), chronic kidney disease (HR 2.26, CI 1.24 to 4.12, p = 0.007) and a 2-stent strategy (HR 2.38, CI 1.37 to 4.14, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of ST, whereas intracoronary imaging (HR 0.42, CI 0.23 to 0.78, p = 0.006) and final kissing balloon (FKB) (HR 0.48, CI 0.29 to 0.82, p = 0.007) were protective against ST. Among patients on DAPT, smoking status and a 2-stent strategy significantly increased the risk of ST, while intracoronary imaging and FKB reduced the risk. In conclusion, age, smoking status, chronic kidney disease and a 2-stent strategy were significant predictors of ST, whereas intracoronary imaging use and FKB had a protective effect. Only smoking status and a 2-stent strategy significantly predicted ST in DAPT subgroup, while intracoronary imaging and FKB had a protective role.

Atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease: a review on the optimal use of oral anticoagulants

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most prevalent supraventricular arrhythmia in adults population and up to 15% of AF patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease (CAD) during their life. While oral anticoagulants (OACs) exert a protective effect in the setting of stroke prevention and systemic embolization in AF patients, patients undergoing PCI are recommended to receive dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis. When these two scenarios coexist, as all antithrombotic regimens are burdened by an increase in bleeding risk, antithrombotic regimen and therapy duration must be cautiously tailored on individual patients' characteristics after attentive assessment of ischemic and bleeding risks. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs), directly inhibiting either thrombin or factor Xa of the coagulation cascade, have progressively replaced warfarin as first choice OACs in several scenarios; recently, randomized controlled trials have compared antithrombotic regimens including NOAC molecules vs vitamin K antagonists in AF patients undergoing PCI to explore the efficacy and safety of NOACs in this setting. These studies have provided a deeper understanding of antithrombotic therapy after PCI in AF patients and have been promptly implemented by the most recent guidelines on AF and CAD management. The aim of the present review was to summarize the current available literature on the perils and benefits of individual OAC molecules in AF patients with acute and/or chronic coronary syndromes in order to provide guidance on the optimal use of OACs in these complex scenarios.

Patent foramen ovale closure in a patient with vena cava filter: a case report

Background

The presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with several medical conditions, including cryptogenic left circulation thromboembolism. PFO closure was demonstrated to reduce recurrent ischaemic stroke in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke. The presence of an inferior vena cava filter (IVCF), however, may impede a transfemoral PFO closure procedure.

Case summary

We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with a PFO suffering from ischaemic stroke from paradoxical thromboembolism originating from deep vein thrombosis and requiring an IVCF. After deep vein thrombosis resolution, due to the high risk of stroke recurrences, the patient was recommended PFO closure. IVCF retrieval by the interventional radiologist was first attempted but failed. A transfemoral PFO closure procedure was thus endeavoured with the IVCF in place and was successful. The patient was then discharged in good clinical status and no stroke recurrences were reported at 5 months follow-up.

Discussion

Albeit an IVCF provides benefit in patients with recurrent thromboembolic events despite adequate anticoagulation therapy, its presence may hinder interventional procedures necessitating delivery systems to advance through the inferior vena cava. We reported on a successful PFO closure procedure via a femoral venous access in a patient with an IVCF in place, thus demonstrating the feasibility of advancing delivery systems through an IVCF. As interventional procedures requiring the advancement of delivery systems through the inferior vena cava are becoming increasingly common, the feasibility of IVCF crossing with catheters and delivery systems alike paves the way for novel interventional possibilities.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and infection on in hospital survival for patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes: A multicenter registry

Introduction

The impact of Covid-19 on the survival of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains to be defined.

Methods

Consecutive patients presenting with ACS at 18 Centers in Northern-Italy during the Covid-19 outbreak were included. In-hospital all-cause death was the primary outcome. In-hospital cardiovascular death along with mechanical and electrical complications were the secondary ones. A case period (February 20, 2020-May 3, 2020) was compared vs. same-year (January 1–February 19, 2020) and previous-year control periods (February 20–May 3, 2019). ACS patients with Covid-19 were further compared with those without.

Results

Among 779 ACS patients admitted during the case period, 67 (8.6%) tested positive for Covid-19. In-hospital all-cause mortality was significantly higher during the case period compared to the control periods (6.4% vs. 3.5% vs. 4.4% respectively; p 0.026), but similar after excluding patients with COVID-19 (4.5% vs. 3.5% vs. 4.4%; p 0.73). Cardiovascular mortality was similar between the study groups. After multivariable adjustment, admission for ACS during the COVID-19 outbreak had no impact on in-hospital mortality. In the case period, patients with concomitant ACS and Covid-19 experienced significantly higher in-hospital mortality (25% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) compared to patients without. Moreover, higher rates of cardiovascular death, cardiogenic shock and sustained ventricular tachycardia were found in Covid-19 patients.

Conclusion

ACS patients presenting during the Covid-19 pandemic experienced increased all-cause mortality, driven by Covid-19 positive status due to higher rates of cardiogenic shock and sustained ventricular tachycardia. No differences in cardiovascular mortality compared to non-pandemic scenarios were reported.

Invasive versus conservative management in spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A meta-analysis and meta-regression study

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the best treatment for spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) are limited. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical outcomes of conservative versus invasive treatment in SCAD patients.

METHODS

We systematically searched the literature for studies evaluating the comparative efficacy and safety of invasive revascularization versus medical therapy for the treatment of SCAD from 1990 to 2020. The study endpoints were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, SCAD recurrence and target vessel revascularization (TVR) rates. Random effect meta-analysis was performed by comparing the clinical outcomes between the two groups. A univariate meta-regression analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four observational studies with 1720 patients were included. After 28 ± 14 months, a conservative approach was associated with lower TVR rate compared with invasive treatment (OR = 0.50; 95%CI 0.28-0.90; P = 0.02). No statistical difference was found regarding all-cause death (OR = 0.81; 95%CI 0.31-2.08; P = 0.66), cardiovascular death (OR = 0.89; 95%CI 0.15-5.40; P = 0.89), myocardial infarction (OR = 0.95; 95%CI 0.50-1.81; P = 0.87), heart failure (OR 0.96; 95%CI 0.41-2.22; P = 0.92) and SCAD recurrence (OR = 0.94; 95%CI 0.52-1.72; P = 0.85). The meta-regression analysis suggested that male gender, diabetes mellitus, smoking habit, prior coronary artery disease, left main coronary artery involvement, lower ejection fraction and low TIMI flow at admission were related with high overall mortality, whereas SCAD recurrence was higher among patients with fibromuscular dysplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

A conservative approach was associated with similar clinical outcomes and lower TVR rates compared with an invasive strategy in SCAD patients; future prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Accuracy of the PARIS score and PCI complexity to predict ischemic events in patients treated with very thin stents in unprotected left main or coronary bifurcations

BACKGROUND

The PARIS risk score (PARIS-rs) and percutaneous coronary intervention complexity (PCI-c) predict clinical and procedural residual ischemic risk following PCI. Their accuracy in patients undergoing unprotected left main (ULM) or bifurcation PCI has not been assessed.

METHODS

The predictive performances of the PARIS-rs (categorized as low, intermediate, and high) and PCI-c (according to guideline-endorsed criteria) were evaluated in 3,002 patients undergoing ULM/bifurcation PCI with very thin strut stents.

RESULTS

After 16 (12-22) months, increasing PARIS-rs (8.8% vs. 14.1% vs. 27.4%, p < .001) and PCI-c (15.2% vs. 11%, p = .025) were associated with higher rates of major adverse cardiac events ([MACE], a composite of death, myocardial infarction [MI], and target vessel revascularization), driven by MI/death for PARIS-rs and target lesion revascularization/stent thrombosis for PCI-c (area under the curves for MACE: PARIS-rs 0.60 vs. PCI-c 0.52, p-for-difference < .001). PCI-c accuracy for MACE was higher in low-clinical-risk patients; while PARIS-rs was more accurate in low-procedural-risk patients. ≥12-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was associated with a lower MACE rate in high PARIS-rs patients, (adjusted-hazard ratio 0.42 [95% CI: 0.22-0.83], p = .012), with no benefit in low to intermediate PARIS-rs patients. No incremental benefit with longer DAPT was observed in complex PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

In the setting of ULM/bifurcation PCI, the residual ischemic risk is better predicted by a clinical risk estimator than by PCI complexity, which rather appears to reflect stent/procedure-related events. Careful procedural risk estimation is warranted in patients at low clinical risk, where PCI complexity may substantially contribute to the overall residual ischemic risk.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Young Low-Risk Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis: A Review

In the last decades, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) revolutionized the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The efficacy and safety of TAVR were first proven in inoperable and high-risk patients. Then, subsequent randomized clinical trials showed non-inferiority of TAVR as compared to surgical aortic valve replacement also in intermediate- and low-risk populations. As TAVR was progressively studied and clinically used in lower-risk patients, issues were raised questioning its opportunity in a younger population with a longer life-expectancy. As long-term follow-up data mainly derive from old studies with early generation devices on high or intermediate surgical risk patients, results can hardly be extended to most of currently treated patients who often show a low surgical risk and are treated with newer generation prostheses. Thus, in this low-risk younger population, decision making is difficult due to the lack of supporting data. The aim of the present review is to revise current literature regarding TAVR in younger patients.

New anti-diabetic agents: major advances with unanswered questions

No abstract present.

Gender differences in acute coronary syndromes patterns during the COVID-19 outbreak

BACKGROUND

Mortality from acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is strictly related to early management. As female patients usually experience longer delays before diagnosis and treatment, we assessed whether women were more affected by the dramatic drop in hospital admissions for ACS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and angiographic characteristics of consecutive patients who were admitted for ACS at 15 hospitals in Northern Italy comparing men and women data. The study period was defined as the time between the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Italy (February 20, 2020) and March 31, 2020. We compared hospitalization rates between the study period and two control periods: the corresponding period during the previous year (February 20 to March 31, 2019) and the earlier period during the same year (January 1 to February 19, 2020). Incidence rate ratios comparing the study period with each of the control periods were calculated with the use of Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Of the 547 patients who were hospitalized for ACS during the study period, only 127 (23%) were females, accounting for a mean of 3.1 admissions per day, while ACS hospitalized males were 420, with a mean of 10.2 admissions per day. There was a significant decrease driven by a similar reduction in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) diagnosis in both sexes compared to the control periods. A trend toward a greater reduction in admitted females was shown in the intra-year control period (46% admission reduction in females vs 37% in males, with females accounting for 26% of ACS, P=0.10) and a significant reduction when compared to the previous year control period (40% admission reduction in females vs 23% in males, with females accounting for 28% of ACS, P=0.03), mainly related to Unstable Angina diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The Covid-19 pandemic period closed the gap between men and women in ACS, with similar rates of reduction of hospitalized STEMI and NSTEMI and a trend toward greater reduction in UA admission among women. Furthermore, many typical differences between males and females regarding ischemic heart disease presentations and vessel distribution were leveled.

Does the inflow velocity profile influence physiologically relevant flow patterns in computational hemodynamic models of left anterior descending coronary artery?

Patient-specific computational fluid dynamics is a powerful tool for investigating the hemodynamic risk in coronary arteries. Proper setting of flow boundary conditions in computational hemodynamic models of coronary arteries is one of the sources of uncertainty weakening the findings of in silico experiments, in consequence of the challenging task of obtaining in vivo 3D flow measurements within the clinical framework. Accordingly, in this study we evaluated the influence of assumptions on inflow velocity profile shape on coronary artery hemodynamics. To do that, (1) ten left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) geometries were reconstructed from clinical angiography, and (2) eleven velocity profiles with realistic 3D features such as eccentricity and differently shaped (single- and double-vortex) secondary flows were generated analytically and imposed as inflow boundary conditions. Wall shear stress and helicity-based descriptors obtained prescribing the commonly used parabolic velocity profile were compared with those obtained with the other velocity profiles. Our findings indicated that the imposition of idealized velocity profiles as inflow boundary condition is acceptable as long the results of the proximal vessel segment are not considered, in LAD coronary arteries. As a pragmatic rule of thumb, a conservative estimation of the length of influence of the shape of the inflow velocity profile on LAD local hemodynamics can be given by the theoretical entrance length for cylindrical conduits in laminar flow conditions.

Anticoagulant and anti-thrombotic therapy in acute type B aortic dissection: when real-life scenarios face the shadows of the evidence-based medicine

Background

Evidence-based recommendations about anticoagulation in acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) are completely missing, but there is a diffuse conviction that it could prevent the healing process of the dissected aorta’s false lumen. However, several clinical conditions may lead to the necessity to start anticoagulant therapy among patients with acute type B aortic dissection, ranging from atrial fibrillation to more complicated clinical scenarios and the correct management in this kind of patients is still an open issue.

Case presentation

We are presenting a 51-years-old man with multi-infarct encephalopathy referred to us for an acute TBAD and a first diagnosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy complicated by left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation. Coronary angiography revealed a critical stenosis of left anterior descending artery (LAD) treated with drug-eluting stent deployment. The patient was addressed to triple antithrombotic therapy with acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel and warfarin with target INR 2.0–2.5. After 6 months, computed tomography angiography revealed the stability of the dissection flap. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, however, confirmed the persistence of a small thrombotic formation in LV apex, thus double antithrombotic therapy with warfarin and clopidogrel was instituted. The patient remained asymptomatic during the follow-up period but was advised to suspend his job and physical activities.

Conclusion

Current guidelines do not discuss anticoagulant therapy in the setting of TBAD and large randomized trials are lacking. Despite it is generally considered unsafe to administer anticoagulants in patients with TBAD, we present a case in which triple antithrombotic therapy was well tolerated and did not lead to progression of the intimal flap after 6 months.

P2Y12 inhibitors in acute coronary syndrome patients with renal dysfunction: an analysis from the RENAMI and BleeMACS projects

Aims

The aim of the present study was to establish the safety and efficacy profile of prasugrel and ticagrelor in real-life acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with renal dysfunction.

Methods and results

All consecutive patients from RENAMI (REgistry of New Antiplatelets in patients with Myocardial Infarction) and BLEEMACS (Bleeding complications in a Multicenter registry of patients discharged with diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome) registries were stratified according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) lower or greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Death and myocardial infarction (MI) were the primary efficacy endpoints. Major bleedings (MBs), defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium bleeding types 3 to 5, constituted the safety endpoint. A total of 19 255 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 63 ± 12; 14 892 (77.3%) were males. A total of 2490 (12.9%) patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as eGFR &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Mean follow-up was 13 ± 5 months. Mortality was significantly higher in CKD patients (9.4% vs. 2.6%, P &lt; 0.0001), as well as the incidence of reinfarction (5.8% vs. 2.9%, P &lt; 0.0001) and MB (5.7% vs. 3%, P &lt; 0.0001). At Cox multivariable analysis, potent P2Y12 inhibitors significantly reduced the mortality rate [hazard ratio (HR) 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54–0.96; P = 0.006] and the risk of reinfarction (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.30–0.95; P = 0.033) in CKD patients as compared to clopidogrel. The reduction of risk of reinfarction was confirmed in patients with preserved renal function. Potent P2Y12 inhibitors did not increase the risk of MB in CKD patients (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.59–1.68; P = 0.985).

Conclusion

In ACS patients with CKD, prasugrel and ticagrelor are associated with lower risk of death and recurrent MI without increasing the risk of MB.

QT prolongation and variability: new ECG signs of atrial potentials dispersion before atrial fibrillation onset

AIMS

QT interval may be considered an indirect marker of atrial repolarization. Aim of our study was to verify if QT interval variations precede the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

We analyzed 21 AF onsets recorded at 24-h Holter ECG. Triggering supraventricular extrabeats (TSVEB) were identified and matched to nontriggering supraventricular extrabeats (NTSVEB) with the same prematurity index. QT and QTc intervals and their variability (max-min QT interval) were measured in the 10 beats preceding TSVEB and NTSVEB.

RESULTS

QTc (470.1 ± 56.7 vs. 436.7 ± 25.6 ms; P = 0.006), QT (36.8 ± 13.1 vs. 21.1 ± 10.1 ms; P = 0.001) and QTc variability (41.5 ± 15.8 vs. 23.1 ± 11.9; P = 0.001) significantly varied between TSVEB and NTSVEB. By stratifying AF onsets in vagal (n = 10) and adrenergic (n = 11) according to Heart Rate Variability, significant differences emerged concerning QT (35.20 ± 16.48 vs. 22.70 ± 10.23 ms, P = 0.006) and QTc variability (39.30 ± 18.32 vs. 25.60 ± 12.91 ms, P = 0.029) for vagal onsets and QTc (477.73 ± 57.50 vs. 438.00 ± 28.55 ms, P = 0.045), QT (38.36 ± 9.79 vs. 19.73 ± 10.21 ms, P = 0.005) and QTc variability (43.55 ± 13.72 vs. 20.82 ± 11.01 ms, P = 0.004) for adrenergic onsets. By stratifying AF onsets in type I (n = 7) or II (n = 14) according to a cycle length variation in the 30 s before the onset greater or smaller than 10% respectively, significant differences were noted concerning QTc (477.73 ± 57.50 vs. 438 ± 28.55 ms, P = 0.045), QT (43.55 ± 13.72 vs. 20.82 ± 11.01 ms, P = 0.005) and QTc variability (43.55 ± 13.72 vs. 20.82 ± 11.01 ms, P = 0.004) in type I and QT (35.20 ± 16.48 vs. 22.70 ± 10.23 ms, P = 0.006) and QTc variability (39.30 ± 18.32 vs. 25.60 ± 12.91 ms, P = 0.029) in type II onsets.

CONCLUSION

Prolongation and QT variability represent a relevant substrate marker in the genesis of AF, independently of the trigger type.